September will be the last HOT and rainy month of the summer here in the Everglades National Park. Day time air temperatures will average around 91. Water temps will hover around 86. Typical to our summer months, September heats up so much by mid day, that the bite will usually drop off by lunch time. We will still get early day storms which will cool things off a little, and produce a late afternoon/ early evening bite.
Snook are feeding on a good moving out-going tide around the outside barrier islands. Try those live baits for your best numbers. I like Pilchards, Thread Herring, and Pinfish. Try them under a cork or just natural for best results. Artificials are always a productive and fun way to catch Snook too. I really like to use DOA Terror Eyz #338 Silver glitter/green back.
The Trout are around the shallow grass flats in decent numbers. Hit your favorite spots the last hour or two of the incoming tide. Most of your bites will happen in the 3'-5' depth range. They will hit artificial bait just as well, if not better than some live baits. I use GULP! Shrimp, DOA deadly combos, and of course live shrimp under a good popping cork.
Fish for Redfish on an incoming tide on the outside oyster bars with live Shrimp, Pilchards or Thread Herring under a popping cork. Of course many artificials are equally as good and I really like a Gulp new penny Shrimp on a 1/4" red jig head.
Tarpon are still around, although not in as many numbers as early summer. The big gals will be out feeding on the outside bays and flats early in the morning and again late in the afternoon. In our area, they are naturally looking for Ladyfish, Thread Herring, and Pilchards. My choice is to live line one of these delicacies out to them on a nice stout spinning rod. If you have opportunity to sight fish for them, try a large soft plastic bait like a DOA Swimmin' Mullet.
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